Reordering Priorities: Finding Joy in Knowing Christ
Summary
Paul’s words in Philippians 3:1-11 call us to a radical reordering of our priorities, urging us to place Christ above every human achievement and accolade. The world celebrates medals, status, and success, but these are fleeting. Even the highest honors, like an Olympic gold, fade quickly, while the relationships and the journey endure. In the same way, our faith is not about what we accomplish or how we measure up, but about a living, ongoing relationship with Jesus. Paul, writing from prison, commands us to rejoice in the Lord—not in our circumstances, but in Christ himself, whose love and grace are an inexhaustible well.
Paul warns us to reject false confidences—those things we lean on for our sense of worth or security, whether it’s our background, our morality, or our achievements. He lists his own impressive credentials, only to declare them worthless compared to knowing Christ. The challenge is to examine where we place our confidence: is it in ourselves, our status, or in Christ alone? We are called to surrender these false sources of security and trust in the grace of Jesus, who alone makes us right with God.
The surpassing worth of knowing Christ is the heart of Paul’s message. He counts all his gains as loss, even as “rubbish” or “excrement,” compared to the joy of being found in Christ. This is not a call to mere religious activity, but to an intimate, daily relationship with Jesus—one that goes beyond surface-level acquaintance to deep, personal knowledge. Paul’s longing is not just for the benefits of Christ, but for Christ himself. This pursuit is relational, not transactional.
We are invited to practical steps: daily gratitude, surrendering our self-reliance, serving others, and seeking deeper intimacy with Jesus. The story of Jim Elliott, who gave his life to bring the gospel to others, reminds us that true gain is found in what we cannot lose—knowing Christ. As we remember Christ’s sacrifice through communion, we are reminded that everything else pales in comparison to the privilege of knowing and being known by Jesus.
Key Takeaways
- True joy is anchored in Christ, not in circumstances or achievements. Paul’s command to rejoice in the Lord is a safeguard for our hearts, reminding us that Christ’s love and grace are an inexhaustible source of joy, even in the midst of trials or disappointments. Practicing daily gratitude helps us to keep our focus on what God has done, rather than what we lack or fear. [06:42]
- False confidences—whether in our background, morality, or accomplishments—are subtle but dangerous. Paul’s own impressive pedigree was ultimately powerless to bring him closer to God. We are challenged to identify and surrender those things we rely on for our sense of worth, trusting instead in the sufficiency of Christ’s grace. [14:43]
- Knowing Christ surpasses every other pursuit. Paul uses strong language to emphasize that all his achievements are “rubbish” compared to the value of knowing Jesus. This knowledge is not just intellectual, but deeply relational—a daily, ongoing encounter with the living Christ that transforms us from the inside out. [15:49]
- Intimacy with Jesus requires more than routine or surface-level engagement. Like any close relationship, it involves time, listening, and vulnerability. We are invited to move beyond transactional prayers and religious habits into a life where we truly know and are known by Christ, allowing his Spirit to shape us in every season. [24:18]
- The hope of resurrection and eternal life reframes our priorities and empowers sacrificial living. The story of Jim Elliott illustrates that giving up what we cannot keep for what we cannot lose is the path of true wisdom. Our trials, service, and even our suffering become opportunities to know Christ more deeply and to reflect his love to the world. [27:25]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[01:53] - Olympic Achievements and Fleeting Glory
[03:09] - Paul’s Context: Joy in Prison
[04:12] - Opening Prayer for Awakening
[05:11] - Rejoicing in the Lord: The Source of Joy
[06:42] - Daily Gratitude and Anchoring Joy
[09:36] - Rejecting False Confidences
[10:33] - Paul’s Pedigree and Human Credentials
[12:26] - The Futility of Human Achievement
[13:54] - The Epidemic of Loneliness and Self-Reliance
[14:43] - Surrendering Self-Sufficiency
[15:49] - The Surpassing Worth of Knowing Christ
[18:59] - Righteousness by Faith, Not Works
[21:21] - Intimate Knowledge of Christ
[24:18] - Listening to Jesus and Deepening Relationship
[26:16] - Jim Elliott: Sacrifice and Eternal Perspective
[32:13] - Practical Steps for Deeper Relationship
[33:24] - Communion: Remembering Christ’s Sacrifice
[34:14] - Worship and Reflection
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: Philippians 3:1-11 – The Surpassing Worth of Knowing Christ
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### Bible Reading
- Philippians 3:1-11 (Main text of the sermon)
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### Observation Questions
1. According to Paul in Philippians 3:1, what does he command the church to do, and why does he say it is a “safeguard”?
2. What are some of the “false confidences” Paul lists in verses 4-6, and why does he mention them?
3. In verses 7-8, what does Paul say about his past achievements compared to knowing Christ?
4. The sermon mentions Paul’s circumstances while writing this letter. Where was Paul, and how does that context make his command to “rejoice in the Lord” more significant? [[05:11]]
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### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Paul consider all his achievements and credentials as “rubbish” or “excrement” compared to knowing Christ? What does this reveal about his values? [[15:49]]
2. The sermon talks about “false confidences” like background, morality, or status. Why are these things dangerous for our faith, according to Paul? [[14:43]]
3. What does it mean to have an “intimate, daily relationship” with Jesus, as described in the sermon? How is this different from just knowing about Jesus? [[21:21]]
4. How does the hope of resurrection and eternal life change the way we view our priorities and sacrifices? [[26:16]]
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### Application Questions
1. The sermon asks, “What’s stealing your joy?” Is there something in your life right now—like anxiety, comparison, or unmet expectations—that is robbing you of joy? What would it look like to anchor your joy in Christ this week? [[06:42]]
2. Paul challenges us to identify and surrender our “false confidences.” What is one area where you tend to rely on your own abilities, status, or background for your sense of worth? How can you surrender that to Jesus? [[14:43]]
3. The sermon encourages daily gratitude as a practical step. What is one thing you can do each day to practice gratitude and keep your focus on what God has done? [[06:42]]
4. The story of Jim Elliott was shared as an example of giving up what we cannot keep to gain what we cannot lose. Is there something you are holding onto that might be keeping you from knowing Christ more deeply? What would it look like to let go? [[27:25]]
5. The sermon talks about moving beyond “surface-level” faith to a deeper relationship with Jesus. What is one specific step you can take this week to spend more intentional time with Jesus—whether through prayer, reading Scripture, or simply listening? [[24:18]]
6. Serving others was mentioned as a way to reflect Christ’s love and grow in intimacy with Him. Is there a way you can serve someone in your church or community this week? What might that look like? [[32:13]]
7. When you think about your priorities, does knowing Christ truly come first? If not, what is one change you could make to reorder your priorities in light of Paul’s message? [[29:47]]
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Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Invite the group to pray for hearts that value Christ above all else, for the courage to surrender false confidences, and for a deeper, more intimate relationship with Jesus.
Devotional
Day 1: Rejoice in the Lord Always
True joy is found in Christ, not in circumstances or achievements. Even when Paul was imprisoned and facing hardship, he called believers to rejoice in the Lord, reminding us that our source of joy is not our situation but Jesus himself. Like a deep well that never runs dry, Christ’s love, mercy, and grace are always available, no matter what we face. When anxiety, comparison, or unmet expectations threaten to steal your joy, anchor yourself in gratitude and the unchanging goodness of God. Start each day by naming what you are thankful for, and let your heart be safeguarded by rejoicing in Christ. [06:42]
Philippians 3:1 (ESV)
"Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you is no trouble to me and is safe for you."
Reflection: What is one thing stealing your joy today, and how can you intentionally anchor your heart in Christ’s unchanging love instead?
Day 2: Reject False Confidence in Human Achievement
Placing confidence in our own accomplishments, status, or morality leads to emptiness and spiritual pride. Paul, who had every reason to boast in his religious pedigree and achievements, declared that none of it could earn God’s favor. Instead, he warns us to beware of trusting in anything other than Christ for our worth and security. In a world that celebrates self-sufficiency and success, we are called to surrender our self-reliance and trust fully in the grace of Jesus. Identify the areas where you are tempted to rely on your own strength, and offer them to God, trusting that only through Christ can you have true relationship with Him. [14:43]
Philippians 3:2-6 (ESV)
"Look out for the dogs, look out for the evildoers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh. For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh—though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also. If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you are tempted to trust in your own achievements or status, and how can you surrender that to Christ today?
Day 3: Pursue the Surpassing Worth of Knowing Christ
All human accomplishments and accolades are worthless compared to the surpassing worth of knowing Jesus Christ. Paul counted everything he once valued as loss, even as rubbish, for the sake of gaining Christ and being found in Him. True righteousness does not come from following rules or traditions, but through faith in Jesus. The invitation is to pursue a relationship with Christ above all else, valuing Him more than anything this world can offer. Let your heart be set on knowing Jesus deeply, and allow everything else to fade in comparison. [16:58]
Philippians 3:7-11 (ESV)
"But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith—that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead."
Reflection: What is one thing you are holding onto that you need to count as loss in order to pursue knowing Christ more fully?
Day 4: Cultivate Intimate Knowledge of Jesus
Knowing Christ is more than a passing acquaintance or a weekly routine; it is a daily, intimate relationship built through time, listening, and shared life. Just as a spouse knows their partner deeply through both good and hard times, so we are invited to know Jesus personally—by spending time in His Word, in prayer, and in quiet listening. This intimacy grows as we open our hearts, listen more than we speak, and allow the Holy Spirit to shape us. Make space today to be with Jesus, not just to ask for things, but to know Him for who He is. [24:18]
John 15:4-5 (ESV)
"Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing."
Reflection: How can you intentionally set aside time today to simply be with Jesus, listening for His voice and deepening your relationship with Him?
Day 5: Serve Others and Grow Through Trials
Serving others and reflecting on our trials are practical ways to know Christ more deeply and to experience transformation. When we step out to serve, we shift our focus from ourselves to the needs of others, reflecting Christ’s love in action. Likewise, when we face difficulties, God uses those moments to produce growth and fruit in us if we allow Him. Don’t let busyness, fear, or other priorities keep you from these opportunities. Take a small step—whether it’s serving in a ministry, seeking wise counsel, or reflecting on what God is teaching you through your current challenges. [32:13]
James 1:2-4 (ESV)
"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."
Reflection: What is one practical way you can serve someone else or seek growth through a current trial this week?
Quotes
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